intelligent assistant to take part in
dangerous expedition to Grampians. Apply," and then followed his name
and address. He was convinced in his own mind that someone amongst those
who read this notice would have some inkling at least of the events of
1st December, 1881, and he rather fancied that he or they would be on
the alert. In that case it was just possible that the persons concerned
would either approach him with a guarded offer or would dog his
footsteps. In either case there was a chance of Mr. Bryce picking up
information that might be to his immediate advantage. He convinced
himself that there were still people living who had played an intimate
part in the affairs of that memorable night.

The advertisement, however, had two results that were unforeseen by Mr.
Bryce. The third day after the insertion of the notice he was informed
that a gentleman wanted to see him. He requested that the man be shown
into his study. In due course the visitor arrived. He was a man
somewhere in the neighbourhood of sixty, but, save for a slight greying
of the hair about his temples, he showed little outward signs of his
age. His eyes, which were of a deep, unfathomable black, were very alert
and followed Mr. Bryce's every movement with a glittering serenity, if
one can use the expression, that was very disturbing.

"Sit down," said Mr. Bryce, and he waved his visitor to a chair.

The man sat down in the chair indicated, looked Mr. Bryce up and down,
without, however, the least sign of offensiveness in his gaze, and said
without any further preliminary, "I've come to see you about that
advertisement."

"Um!" said Mr. Bryce non-committally. "Yes, that ad. What about it?"

"I think," said the other with his eyes fixed intently on Mr. Bryce, "I
think I am the best man for the job."

"I haven't told you yet what the job is," Mr. Bryce objected.

"That's so," the other admitted. "Beyond saying that it was dangerous,
you did not attempt to describe it. It doesn't matter what you want in
the Grampians. I'm the man to take. I know the place well."

"It's changed vastly in thirty years," Bryce said suddenly.

The other must have been expecting something like this, for he never
turned a hair. As far as he was concerned Mr. Bryce's observation might
have been the most casual remark in the world. He ignored it. Perhaps it
would have been better had he commented on it and asked what association
to-day's expedition had with what had